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Where Are You Going Where Have You Been Literary Analysis

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Helen Nguyen Christopher Gilchrist ENG1102 07 April 2024 “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” Analysis In Joyce Carol Oates' "Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?" The author uses a range of literary devices to reveal the dangers of gender norms, societal pressures, and power dynamics in society. The story goes through a fifteen-year-old girl's journey of self-discovery. Interrupted by a mysterious stranger named Arnold Friend, the story dives into the complexities of Connie's world and the transformative impact of her encounter. Through careful characterization and symbolic imagery, Oates invites readers to navigate the depths of Connie and Arnold's relationship, offering insights into the underlying societal expectations and power …show more content…

Through these interactions, Oates illustrates how societal norms shape women's perceptions of themselves and their roles within society, ultimately influencing their interactions with men like Arnold. Oates shows how Connie and Arnold's interactions reflect the influence of society, highlighting how cultural values shape their behavior and relationships. Connie's obsession with physical appearance, a trait ingrained in her by societal expectations, is evident throughout the story. Connie’s characterization “stems from a rigid belief in physical beauty” as she’s characterized as a teenager who is looking to look her best and impress everyone around her (Korb). This fixation on appearance is echoed in Connie's thoughts as “she knew she was pretty and that was everything” (Oates 1016). This emphasis on external beauty not only defines Connie's self-worth but also influences her judgments of others. Oates employs symbolism to further emphasize Connie's reliance on physical appearance as a criterion for

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The beginning of the story illustrates Connie as a shallow and vapid young teen, placing an immense amount of value on her looks and ability to attract the attention of those around her. Near the end of the story, during her encounter with Arnold Friend and his companion, Ellie Oscar, the author expresses Connie’s nervousness by describing that, “her heart was almost too big now for her chest and its pumping made sweat break out all over her” (Oates). Connie is no longer comfortable with the attention and realizes that the looks that she once valued so greatly, likely brought danger to both herself and those around her. The dichotomy between Connie in the beginning of the short story and Connie near the end of the story is subtly foreshadowed when it mentions that, “ everything about her had two sides to it, one for home and one for anywhere that was not home” (Oates). By the end of the short story, the audience is able to identify the two new sides of Connie.

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